Ukraine Travel Guide

Edit ThisThe best resource for sights, hotels, restaurants, bars, what to do and see

Odessa Theater of Opera and Ballet

Alla Ponomareva

Ukraine is a country of many historic treasures and customs, beautifully varied landscapes, and social and economic change.

Ukraine is the birthplace of the first great Slavic state - Kyivian Rus, and during the 10th and 11th centuries Kyivian Rus was among the most influential nation-states in Europe.

For much of its existence, Ukraine has been divided because different regions of the country have been ruled by foreign powers including Poland, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Lithuania. Despite heavy Russian influence in the east and often oppressive Soviet occupation, Ukraine has remained faithful to its own traditions. This land bears the mark of ancient mystery and the memory of its people still preserves old customs of remote ages.

With the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine regained its independence. Now you can explore the cultural richness of the Ukrainian steppes, which helped the country become known as the Breadbasket of Europe, the rugged landscapes of the Carpathian Mountains, or health resorts on the Black Sea.

Ukraine is one of the most stable and peaceful countries among the former republics of USSR in Eastern Europe. Many locales are still unknown to foreign visitors. Take an opportunity to become privy to the ancient history, to feel the pulsing heart of this land under a thin stratum of time. Set foot on the land that still remembers the epoch of the Great Mother Goddess.

The city of Kiev is beautifully rich with arts and culture as it tries to break itself from the overbearing Russian influence even in todays more modern fashion and the arts. A recent trip to the 2006 Summer Fashion Week has shown a considerable amount of fashion culture within a country that still has considerable issues with underprivlaged groups of society and even human trafficing. Beautiful city and well worth a visit.

Beautiful buildings, ornate statues, tree lined lanes and magical squares and courtyards make Odessa an intriguing destination. It was originally constructed as a coastal fortress and is steeped in history and culture. Monuments to famous people can be found throughout the city. The monument to Duke De Richelieu, the builder of the city, is situated in boulevard frequented by the locals. There is a monument in honour of Alexandr Pushkin, a well known poet and monuments to WWII soldiers. The stairway to the city, Potemkin stairway, is a predominant landmark. The Museum of Eastern and Western Art houses a wide variety of collections of artwork by well known artists. Some other 'must sees' include the Odessa Opera House and the elaborately decorated Pisazh shopping mall.

The seaside city of Yalta was the destination for Russian aristocrats during the 18th century and onwards. Situated on the Crimean coast, it has pebble beaches, a waterfront promenade and a mild Mediterranean climate. Yalta has some pretty impressive palaces such as Voronstov Palace and Livadia Palace, the 1945 meeting place of Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin during the Crimea Conference. Not too far from the city is the Nikita Botanical Gardens.

Also there are lot of others beautiful cities, such us Odessa, Kharkov, Lviv

Part or or all of this text stems from the original article at: www.travelagentsoftware.com